Expressing Breast Milk

Expressing Breast Milk

Being able to express breast milk for those occasions when it is not possible to take your baby with you, is a modern convenience which has revolutionised the lives of breastfeeding mothers.

If you plan to use a pump and express breast milk for your baby, it is important that you research breast pumps (electric and/or manual) in advance as they vary considerably. You can find information about breast pumps online and in most breastfeeding manuals. The NCT and BabyCentre websites have in-depth information.

Popular electric breast pumps include:

You can also rent breast pumps and one of the most popular pumps to rent is theMedela Symphony

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It may be necessary to express if:

Your baby is very premature, unwell or because you are returning to work not long after giving birth

You have a multiple birth or

Your baby is not able to latch due to some medical condition

There are fortunately very few circumstances these days when it is absolutely necessary to express, as breastfeeding is accepted by most people and it is illegal for anyone to stop you breastfeeding in a public place. It can however be very helpful to have some breast milk frozen for those times when you cannot have your baby with you.

Too often mothers would like to express milk so the father can interact and feed the baby a bottle, however there are many other ways a father can be involved besides giving breast milk from a bottle. Of course, if the mother is detained or required to be somewhere where the baby cannot go, that is a different matter.

When your milk first comes in you may find that you have more milk than your baby requires. Although you do not want to express and increase production, over-stimulating your breasts, it can sometimes be helpful to relieve the tension by pumping a little after a feed. The milk can then be frozen to be used at a later date.

Pumping in the early days is however not recommended by professionals unless absolutely necessary or for any of the reasons noted above.

In those early days following the birth or if and when you are required to express milk, always try to make a habit of expressing following a feed and from the breast that you have not fed from (or have fed least from).

Most women find it easier and quicker to use an electric pump. However you can also build up a good stash of frozen milk using only a manual pump. It takes practice for some usually-breastfed babies to take a bottle, so it is recommended you experiment a little prior to the date you plan to use a bottle.

If you plan to have some milk available, stored and frozen to be used in the future, it is best to routinely pump at the first morning feeds as there is usually more milk available after a good night's rest.

Store any pumped milk in sterilised containers:

In the refrigerator for up to five days at 4°C or lower

For two weeks in the freezer compartment of a fridge

For up to six months in a freezer that stays at -18°C or lower

To heat milk that has been frozen, take it out in advance, thaw, then finally heat in a jug of warm water. Milk can also be defrosted in the refrigerator in advance of a feed and then warmed as required.

Key Points To Take Away

Research breast pumps in advance as they vary considerably

It may be necessary to express milk if - Your baby is very premature, unwell or you are returning to work soon after birth - You have a multiple birth - Your baby is unable to latch on due to medical reasons

It is helpful to have some milk frozen for when you are not with your baby

It has become more acceptable, and legally enforceable, to breastfeed in public, therefore there are fewer circumstances when it is necessary to express

Fathers can help in many ways, not just in helping to feed the baby a bottle

If you have an oversupply of milk in the early days, you can relieve tension by pumping a little after you have fed your baby. You can then freeze this milk

It is not recommended by the professionals to pump in the early days unless it is absolutely necessary

When you need to express milk, express following a feed from the breast you have not fed from (or have fed least from)

If you are going to express regularly, it is suggested you buy an electric pump

Milk should be stored in sterilised containers in any of the following conditions: - In the refrigerator for up to five days at 4°C or lower - For two weeks in the freezer compartment of fridge - For up to six months in a freezer that stays at 18°C or lower

Heat frozen milk by taking it out in advance, thaw, then finally warm in a jug of water or defrost it in a refrigerator then warm when required

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